STUDENT INVOLVEMENT & REPRESENTATION FEE (SIRF)

Initiated and developed by the Cal State Student Association, or CSSA, SIRF creates a more independent and effective statewide student association with the main objective of expanding CSSA’s efforts to serve all CSU students. The fee creates direct accountability of CSSA to the students it serves by giving students a choice to participate (or not) in SIRF and supports the organization that represents their interests.

How are SIRF Fees Spent?

CSSA’s student board of directors decides how SIRF dollars are allocated based on the higher education issues our student leaders designate as priority areas. SIRF dollars allow student leaders to engage in advocacy and programming that serve CSU students across the state by funding student travel to the state capitol or CSU Chancellor’s Office to provide student input on decisions, enabling student activism via social media, creating professional development opportunities for students, analyzing the impact of higher education laws and policies on CSU students, and other important activities that benefit CSU students. These efforts have direct costs, but also have the indirect expenses of a professional staff whose sole purpose is to support and run these programs and initiatives on a daily basis. CSSA is a nonprofit organization, and the student board maintains oversight and authority over SIRF dollars. An independent audit is conducted annually and made public to ensure SIRF funds are spent according to these initiatives responsibly and transparently.

Low Cost

$2 per semester or $4 per year is lower than any other CSU fee, yet it is the only fee that directly supports amplifying the student voice when it comes to the CSU and higher education policy. SIRF is the primary funding source of the CSSA and without it, the organization could not exist to serve CSU students.

Provide Students Choice

Each CSU student has the ability not to pay the fee for financial, political, or personal reasons each time it is assessed. Although the fee is relatively low cost at $2 per semester, we recognize that students deserve a choice in funding their student advocacy association.

How Do Students Opt-Out?

Every student can opt-out by their campus specified deadline via their student financial portal. Students should reach out to their campus financial services office if they need assistance opting-out.

For more information about SIRF or CSSA, please contact CSSA staff. You can also contact your CSSA student board representative, or one of our CSSA officers by inquiring with [email protected]